Marking, printing, and embossing machine



0v. 6, 1934. E. ROBERTS, JR

MARKING, PRINTING, AND EMBOSSING MACHINE Filed July 27, 1933 4Sheets-Sheet l NOV. 6, 1934. E, T JR 1379,6 10

MARKING, PRINTING, AND EMBOSSING MACHINE Filed July 27, 1953 4 sheetssheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORN Y Nov, 6, 1934.

E. ROBERTS, JR 1,979,640 MARKING, PRINTING, AND EMBOSSING MACHI'NE'Filed July 27, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 3 INVENTOR 1 film/Ki Wil i/l BY IAM: ATTORN Nov,6,1934. E. ROBERTS, JR

, MARKING, PRINTING, AND EMBOSSING MACHINE Filed July 27, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 4 A K 49 .F I c Q] I M HH 6 lllllllll 5 5 I I I I I l 0 0 4ll illfllll QflHHHHH 5 i l I I 6 ll 7 F. 7 m flHHHHH K 19 M m i a i a II I I I B II. I I i I I I l I I m l l I l l I l l I Bill l I I I I a I Ia M I H a a I I I l 432|l23456-789l0ll INVENTOR Eda (171i Patented Nov.6, 1934 MARKING, rnm'rnie, AND nmossine MACHINE Edward Roberts, 312,Hohokus, N. 3., assignor to Roberts, Cusliman & Company, New York, N. Y,a corporation of New York Application July 27, 1933, Serial No. 682,491

24 Claims.

This invention relates to printing or stamping machines, and moreparticularly to machines of that type which are employed for the purposeof stamping or printing letters, initials or names in a selected colorupon bill-folds, wallets, hand bags and other articles of merchandise ofleather or other materials.

It is the primary object and purpose of the present invention to providea machine for the above purpose embodying a vertically movable supportand a housing positioned above the said support, together withselectively adjustable type carrying wheels or discs within saidhousing, the type characters on said discs projecting through a bottomopening of the housing, and means for vertically moving said articlesupport to forcibly engage the article thereon against the type faces ofthe stationary discs.

It is another important object of the invention to provide said typecarrying wheels or discs with means whereby interchangeable type may beemployed, and easily, quickly and rigidly connected with the disc ordetached therefrom and replaced by new type.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved heating means forthe type carrying discs in the form of electrical resistance unitsyieldably mounted in spaced apart relation within the housing, wherebywheels or discs of different thicknesses and carrying type of differentwidths may be mounted within said housing and properly associated withsaid heating units. Also, by providing the yieldably mounted heatingunits, any warpage of the disc which may occur will be permitted, whilethe series of discs will be yieldably forced into closely contactingrelation and centrally positioned within the enclosing case or housing.

Another detail feature of my invention is to provide simple and easilyoperated means for releasably locking the type carrying discs againstrelative rotation, after they have been adjusted to position theselected type characters on the respective discs in proper alignment.

A further object of the invention is to provide the electrical heatingmeans for the type wheels or discs with a simple form of automaticthermostatic control device also positioned within the case or housingfor the purpose of preventing over heating of the type wheels.

It is further a general object of my invention to provide a machine asabove characterized, the parts of which are comparatively simple in formand construction, compactly arranged and durable and eflicient inoperation, so that the maintenance cost of machines of this type will bereduced to a minimum.

With the above and other objects in view,-

Figure l is a side elevation'partly in section of a printing or stampingmachine embodying a preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a detail view on an enlarged scale of the means for actuatingthe foot rail for the pigmented tape;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line 4-4 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 55 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section of the housing withthe cover plate removed, showing the electrical connections with one ofthe heating units;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line 7'7 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an inner side elevation partly in section of the housing coverand parts connected therewith;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on theline 10-10 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the type wheels ordiscs with parts thereof shown in section and broken away; 80

Fig. 12 a fragmentary edge view of the type carrying discs;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 13-.-13 ofFig. 11; and

Figs. 14 and 15 are detail sectional views taken on the lines 1414 and15-15 respectively of Fig. 11;

Fig. 16 is a part sectional View of a modified form of the device shownin Fig. 4;

Fig. 17 is a section taken on line 1717 of Fig. 16; and

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the gauge used to properly space the articleto be stamped.-

In the drawings, for purposes of illustration, 1 have shown a machinebase 5 of suitable form in plan, having a standard or pedestal 6 at therear end thereof, the upper end of said standard being forwardly curvedand integrally formed with the housing indicated at-7. This housing ispreferably of general circular shape and is open at one side thereof,said housing being further provided with the bottom opening indicated at8 for a purpose which will presently appear. The cylindrical Wall ofthis housing above the axial center thereof is provided with the sightopening indicated at 9.

The, open side of the housing 7,is adapted to be closed by the coverplate 10 detachably secured to the cylindrical wall of the housing bythe screws or bolts 11. This cover plate and the opposite side wall ofthe housing at their centers are formed with suitable bearing means toreceive the rotatable shaft 12. Upon the shaft 12, one or more typewheels or discs indicated at 13 are mounted with a snug frictional fit.In the present instance, I have shown three such type wheels, althoughit will be understood that a greater number may be employed. In order toreleasably connect two of these type wheels with the shaft 12 forrotation with the latter, I provide said shaft with frictional ballclutches shown at 14 of conventional type, the clutch balls being urgedoutwardly into frictional engagement with the wheels by suitablesprings. The other type wheel at one side of the series may be rigidlypinned or keyed to the shaft 12, as shown at 15; see Figs. 11 and 13.

Each of the type wheels has an outer annular marginal portion 16 ofreduced thickness; said marginal portion of the wheel being providedwith spaced radially disposed recesses 1'7 therein which open on theouter edge of the wheel. These recesses receive the rectangular shanks18 of type bars which are formed with the enlarged heads 19 on one oftheir ends, having the type characters 20 in relief thereon. Upon theperipheral faces of the reduced marginal portion 16 of the wheel betweenthe recesses 17 therein, the guide type members 21 are adapted to beseated, said type members having base portions of the same thickness asthe part 16 of the wheel, and provided with shoulders 22 at the oppositeends thereof which are engaged under the opposed ends of the heads 19 onthe adjacent printing type members. The guide type 21 are formed ontheir end faces with the type characters 23 which are positioned betweenthe heads 19 and inwardly with respect to the printing type characters20. When any one of these guide type characters 23 is visible throughthe sight opening 9, the corresponding type character 20 is disposed inprinting position at the center of the bottom opening 8 of the housingor casing.

The shank portion 18 of each of the printing type bars is provided onopposite sides thereof intermediate of its ends with the short studs 24.An annular metal plate 25 is disposed on one side of the marginalportion 16 of the type wheel and securely riveted to the same betweenthe recesses 17 therein as indicated at 26. This plate has spacedopenings 27 therein to receive the studs 24 on one side of the printingtype members. A similar plate 28 is then engaged on the opposite side ofthe marginal portion 16 of the printing wheel and is provided withspaced openings 29 to receive the studs 24 projecting from the oppositeside faces of the type members. This latter plate 28 is detachablysecured to the wheel by the screws indicated at 30. It will thus beapparent that when this plate is applied and secured in place, both theprinting and guide type members 18 and 21 respectively are fixedlylocked against movement relative to each other or with respect to thewheel or disc. At the same time, by merely removing the side plate 28,the printing type characters can be detached or removed from connectionwith the wheel and replaced by new type members.

While any desired inking device may be used for inking thefaces of typecharacters 20 in printing upon paper, cloth or other materials, when themachine is used in connection with a pigmented tape for printing in goldor other colors on leather and similar materials, it is necessary toheat the several wheels or discs 13 and the type characters thereon.Preferably, these wheels are formed of brass instead of die cast metalas is usually the case, in order to minimize warping. For the purpose ofsuitably heating said discs or type wheels, I have shown the annularelectrical resistance units 31 in contact with the opposite sides of thegroup or series of wheels. The adjusting screws 32 have a threadedconnection at their inner ends with the internally threaded stems orhubs 33 attached to each of the resistance units. The wall of the coverplate 10 and the opposite side wall of the housing 7 are formed withhollow bosses providing internal seats for the outer ends of springs 35,the other ends of which bear against the respective resistance units andyieldingly urge the same inwardly against the disc, forcing the saiddiscs together in frictional contact and centrally positioning the samewithin the housing 7. The adjusting screws 32 are freely movable in thelateral movement of the resistance units through openings in the endwalls of the projections or bosses on the housing wall and cover plate.

Current is supplied to the resistance units 31 by the wires 36 from thewall plug extending upwardly through the hollow standard or pedestal 6and into the rear side of the casing, said wires being attached to therear wall of the casing by a suitable clamping device 3'7. One of thesewires is connected to one end of the resistance wire of one of the units31 mounted at the inner side of the housing as indicated at 38, whilethe other end of the resistance is connected by wire 39 to contact 40mounted in an insulating block fixed to the cylindrical wall of thehousing. The other of said Wires 36 is connected to a similar contact 41mounted in said insulating block. Each of the contacts 40 and .41includes a pin 42 which is yieldingly urged outwardly with resmct to thefixed tubular section of the contact by the spring 43, as clearly seenin Fig. 7 of the drawings, said outward movement of the pin beinglimited by the head or flange 44 on the inner end of said pin.

The cover plate 10 which carries or supports the other resistance unit31, is provided on the inner side thereof and at its outer edge with thecircuit closing contact members 45 adapted to engage the yieldable pins42 of the contacts 40 and 41 respectively, when the cover is applied tothe open side of the housing. One of these contacts 45 is connected bywire 46 with one end of the resistance wire of unit 31 on the coverplate, the other end of the resistance wire being connected by wire 47with an automatic temperature control thermostat of any desired typeindicated at 48, the other of said contacts 45 being also connected withsaid thermostat by wire 49. Thus the temperature of the type carryingdiscs or wheels may be accurately controlled and excessive heating andwarping of said discs prevented.

The thermostatic control device 48 is mounted in a suitable holder 50movable into and out of a hollow boss or projection 51 on the wall ofthe cover plate, and yieldingly urged inwardly against the group ofprinting wheels or discs by the The shaft 12 at one end has an extension12a of reduced diameter to which the operating knob 53 of insulatingmaterial is rigidly fixed, and whereby the several type carrying wheelsor discs 13 maybe selectively adjusted relative to each other. For thepurpose of locking each wheel after adjustment to position the properguide type character 23, in registration with the sight opening 9, andthen finally locking all of the type discs or wheels in the groupagainst relative rotation, I provide the device shown in Fig. 4 of thedrawings. Thus each of the type discs or wheels 13 is provided ininwardly spaced relation from the several type members on the peripheryof the wheel with the circular series of openings 54 therethrough, thecenters of said openings being disposed in radial alignment with thecenters of the guide type members 21. These openings at one side face ofeach wheel or disc have their walls flared or tapered as indicated at 55to receive and guide the convex end 57 of a rod or pin 56. The side wallof the housing '7 is likewise provided with an opening 58 having thefiared guide wall 59 at one end thereof to receive said end of the pin56. The cover plate 10 is formed with the guide bearing 66 for the pin56 and a key 61 of suitable form extends transversely across the bore ofthis bearing and cooperates with the flattened surface 62 on the pin 56to prevent turning movement of said pin, and also constituting a stopcoacting with the shoulder 63 at one end of the surface 62 to limit theoutward movement of the pin 56 through the cover plate. -In the positionof this pin, as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, where its end isengaged in the opening 58 of the housing wall, the three type wheels ordiscs are locked against relative rotation. In adjusting the wheels toalign the proper guide type characters 23 with the sight opening 9, thepin 56 is withdrawn to the left through the cover plate from theopenings in the series of discs or wheels. The shaft 12 is then rotatedby means of knob 53 until the proper type character on the left handwheel in the group is seen through the opening 9. The pin 56 is thenpushed inwardly for a limited distance and enters one of the openings inthis disc. Continued rotation of the shaft 12 will then rotate'the othertwo discs while the left-hand disc remains stationary, and when theproper type character 23 on a central disc is in alignment with the typecharacter on the left-hand disc in registration with opening 9, the pin56 is pushed inwardly a further distance and enters one of the openings54 in this central disc. Further rotation of the shaft 12 then rotatesonly the right-hand disc in the series until the desired character 23thereon is aligned with those previously disposed in registration withopening 9. The pin 56 is then pressed inwardly to'its full extent anduntil its end is positioned in opening 58. Thus,'this pin is disposedthrough one of the openings 54 of each of the discs and thereby securelylocks said discs in their adjusted positions against any relativerotation, assuring accurate alignment of the selected printed typecharacters 20 at the bottom opening 8 of the housing or casing.

' Between the group of type wheels and the side wall of the housing '7,a washer 64 is interposed, and when it is desired to' use type wheels ofgreater thickness or a greater number of said wheels, this washer may beremoved from shaft 12 and a relatively thin washer plate substitutedtherefor. It will be seen that this change in'the number or thickness ofthe type wheels, or the changing of the printingtype members carried bysaid wheels, may be easily and quickly made, simply by the removal ofthe face plate or cover 10 from the open side of the housing whichcarries or supports one of the heating units 31, together with thethermostatic control device 48 and the circuit closing contacts 45. Thusfree access is afforded to the interior of the housing.

Below theadjustable type wheels in suitably spaced relation from thehousing '7, an arm 65 projects forwardly from standard or pedestal 6,and is provided with a suitable guide 66 for the vertically movable bar67 of rectangular form in cross section. Upon the upper end of this bar,the article supporting plate 68 is suitably secured. The bar 6'? at itslower end is provided with an obliquely inclined face 67' with which thecam arm 69 fixed to a rock shaft '70 coacts, said rock shaft beingjournalled in suitable bearings 71 on the base 5. One or more springsindicated at 72 act to move the bar 67 and plate 68 downwardly andyieldingly hold the lower end face 67' of said bar in bearing contactupon the cam surface of arm 69. This arm carries an adjustable stopscrew 73 which, by contact with the upper surface of base 5, limits therocking movement of shaft in one direction and determines the normalposition of the article supporting plate 68 with respect to the typewheels.' Any suitable means may be provided for clamping the article tobe stamped or printed upon on the upper surface of the plate 68. To oneend of the rock shaft 70 projecting laterally from the base 5, asuitable operating lever '74 is rigidly fixed at its lower end; see Fig.1.

In the illustrated embodiment of the machine, I have shown a suitablecasing or housing '75 attached to the side wall of the housing 7 for thetype wheels, and which receives and supports a spool of paper tapeindicated at 76 impregnated with a color pigment. This pigmented tape isdrawn from the spool downwardly under and in contact with the rods '77projecting forwardly from opposite sides of the standard or pedestal 6between the article supporting plate 68 and the lower open side ofhousing 7. Preferably, these rods or arms at one of their ends arepivotally mounted on the standard 6 as at '78 and yieldingly heldagainst upward pivotal movement by springs 79 in contact with studs 80fixed to the standard 6, so that said rods normally extend in parallelrelation to the surface of the plate 68. One of these rods is providedwith longitudinally spaced guide pins 81 at its other end between whichthe pigmented tape 76 is drawn upwardly and over a roller 82, having alongitudinally serrated surface 83. This roller is fixed to one end of ashaft 84 journalled in suitable bearings carried by the cover plate 10of the type wheel housing, said shaft at its other end having a ratchet85 fixed thereon with which the pivoted spring held pawl 86 mounted onthe plate 87, loosely journalled on Y the shaft 84, coacts. The upperend of a link 88 is pivotally connected as at 89 to the plate 8'7, thelower end of said link being provided with a longitudinal slot 90 ofpredetermined length therein. In this slot, a pin 91 on the end of a bar92 pivotally mounted at one of their ends, as at 94. 5

These arms are connected by longitudinally spaced guide rods 95 and 96respectively, over which the tape 76 is engaged. Closely adjacent to therod 95, the roller 97, having a longitudinally serratedsurface, isjournalled between the said Jii arms and is held in cooperative relationwith the serrated surface 83 of roller 82 by springs 98, which act tourge the arms 93 downwardly and thus yieldingly grip the pigmentedpapertape between said serrated surfaces and the rollers 82 and 9'7, wherebypositive feed of the paper tape from the spool and across the lower openside of housing 7 is assured in each operation of the machine.

Having now described the several mechanical features of my invention,its operation will be understood as follows:

Assuming that the several type carrying wheels 13 have been properlyadjusted until the desired guide or index type 23 appear in the sightopening 9 of the housing 7, while the corresponding printing typecharacters 20 are thereby centrally positioned with respect to the openbottom of the housing and in projecting relation therefrom, and that thebill-fold, hand bag or other material has been secured in the properposition on plate 68, the lever '74 is then moved forwardly as indicatedby the arrow in Fig. 1. This operation causes the cam face of arm 69 toact against the lower end of bar 67 and forcibly lift the plate 68 andthe article thereon. The article is thus first brought into contact withthe underside of the section of the pigmented tape '76 which extendsacross the open bottom of the housing and beneath the type characters20, and by the continued upward movement of said supporting plate andthe article, the tape is forcibly pressed against the relief typecharacters 20, and owing to the heating of these type characters by theunits 31 to the proper predetermined temperature, the color pigment fromthe tape is transferred by each type character and impressed or embeddedin the surface of the article. The tape is held taut by the arms orrods- '77 until engaged by the article, and thereafter by the furtherupward movement of plate 68, said arms or rods are forced upwardly fromtheir normal positions against the action of spring '79.

After the impression has been made, upon the release of lever 74, thesprings 72 contract and move the plate 68 and bar 67 downwardly tonormal position. In the upward movement of this plate, pin 91 moves inthe slot 90 of link 88 and upon engagement with the upper end of saidslot, moves the link upwardly and rocks the plate 87 on shaft 84, pawl86 riding idly over the teeth or ratchet 85. Therefore, it will beunderstood that in the return or downward movement of plate 68, tonormal position, the pin 91 will .bear against the lower end of the slot90 and positively pull the link 88 downwardly, thus rocking plate 87 inthe opposite direction and by the coaction of pawl 86 with ratchet 85,rotating the feed roller 97. The tape being gripped between the serratedsurface of this roller and roller 82, will thus be positively fed ormoved across the lower open side of the housing 7 for the requiredpredetermined length thereof, so as to thereby position a new section ofthe tape for engagement by the type characters 20 in the succeedingoperation of the machine. When a greater number of the type wheels areto be used, or wheels of greater thickness, another link 88 issubstituted, having a shorter slot 90 so that there willbe acorrespondingly greater feeding movement of the tape '76 in eachoperation of the machine. I

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that by means of amachine of this character, wherein the supporting plate 68 and thearticle are moved to printing position, while the type wheels remainrelatively stationary, a great variety of articles maybe printed orstamped,

it beingmerely necessary to change the article support 68 and substituteanother therefor for the accommodation of the particular article.

By the provision of the yieldably mounted heating units, type of anydesired width may be employed, and it is also possible to construct themachine so that it may be provided with a sufficient number of. the typewheels to print the full name. It is further to be noted. that the guideor index type 23 are of such construction that they can be used withvarious printing type matrices, cast or formed upon the special typebars 18 as above described.

The mode of operation described enables the operator to take off theside plate on the machine and put other wheels on, or to take the wheelsapart and put in new type, with the use of single or muliplicity ofwheels. The index type is so designed as to enable it to be used withany raised or working type. Any matrices carried by the American typefounders of type 36 points high or 24 points wide or less may be cast onthis special body. The wheels being made of brass, will not warp. Thewarping is an objection to die cast metal for the entire wheel of otherstyles of machine. The heater plates being arranged on a spring, forcethe wheels to the center of the machine, and also allow any warpage, orgrowing if the same should take place, which however is not expected totake place in the embodiment described. The automatic stop is of simpleconstruction and if wheels be made. wider than shown in the drawings ofthis embodiment, the stop could be taken out by removing the brass pin,and a new one put in, which would take care of the wider wheels. Also,the washer in the shaft can be taken out and a narrower one could beinserted. The rod on the tape feed could be taken off and'one with asmaller hole put on to feed more tape to accommodate these wider wheels.In structures heretofore used it has been necessary to change or build anew monogrammer to accommodate a certain article, when the head hasmoved back; this objection is avoided by having the head that holds thetype wheel stationary. With the improved device it is pos sible tosimply put another base on to accommodate any article. Likewise with thecentering name plate when removed by unscrewing four screws, anothername plate with other lines drawn can be used. The regular lines showthe position for a three letter monogram, the dotted lines show thelocation of a two letter monogram,

as shown in the drawings. Also, a machine as described, can be builtequally well with 18 thin wheels for stamping full names. Finally, thethermostatic control on the embodiment described, lends certainadvantages to the same, as elsewhere pointed out.

In respect to the thermostatic control, this enables use of certainmanufactured metallic or pigment tape that will release at a giventemperature, for; instance 244 F., and the pulling of the handle can betimed the same on an article whether differently colored tapes are usedor just one color. It is not necessary with the use of a thermostaticcontrol to try a few practice impressions to gauge the heat of themachine with relationship to the proper release of the tape. The outsidetemperature of a department store varies from 85 to 68 R, which in turnwould affect the heated die or letters. The thermostatic controlcontrols the type within two degrees, whereas the rheostat will vary 14to 15 degrees. The control is adapted to the tape or pigment in a 7article supporting plate as 68 may be charactermanner as to besynchronized therewith so that better stamping can be done by an amateuror beginner. The thermostatic control means combined with the type of aworking, printing and embossing machine, thus gives unexpectedadvantages and results not heretofore known.

In Figure 18, I show how the surface of an istically marked in orderconveniently and with dispatch to center a wallet or other rectangulararticle for receiving either a three-letter or a two-letter monogram;and also for receiving either a three-letter or a two-letter cornermonogram. The markings on the face of the plate are illustrated asconsisting of equi-spaced full lines 99 alternating with broken lines100, all of said lines being parallel, with the broken lines indicatingthe half distances between the full lines. Associated with the fulllines in both right .and left directions from the indicated zero symbolare successive numerals, both the right and left sides of theillustrated chart reading from the zero symbol to the numeral fourteen.

To center the three-letter monogram, the article is placed between twocorresponding right and left full lines, as by way of example, dependingon the size of the article, between seven seven, or between nine nine,or between twelve twelve. Assuming the article to be of a size to comebetween seven seven, its

opposite edges being parallel with the full lines tered. for athree-letter monogram. For a twoletter monogram, it is only necessary,as,will be appreciated, to move the article, after being centered asabove described, to the left one-half space as indicated by the brokenlines. In the present instance, as a convenience, the full zero line andthe first broken line to the left thereof, have extensions 102 and 103,respectively.

For the three and two-letter corner monograms, the chart is providedwith the full angle line 104 and broken angle line 105, respectively,the apex 106 of the angle line 104 being intersected by the plane ofextension 102 while the apex 107 of the broken angle line 105 isintersected by the plane of extension 103. The article is placed withtwo edges parallel to and meeting the opposite sides of the angle line104 when it is to receive the three-letter corner monogram, while forthe twoletter corner monogram it is moved to a position in which its twosides correspond with the two sides of the broken angle line 107.

A modified form of structure to take the place of that shown anddescribed in connection with Fig. 4 is shown in Figs. 16 and 1'7. Herethe rod 56 has the hand button 56a at one side of the cover plate 10.Upon this is secured by screws 110, a step shaped member 111, havingthree steps 112, 113, and 114. As the rod 56 is turned bythe button 56a,and pressed inwardly, the pin 115 is I then caused to ride on the steps,and as it does ly eflicient in service. The several cooperating elementsare very compactly arranged so that the machine will occupy little spaceand is comparatively of light Weight. Of course, it will be underthereinas may be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the inventionas claimed.

I claim: 1. In a printing .or stamping machine, a base,

at least one rotatable printing Wheelhaving peripherally projecting typecharacters mounted on a stationary axis above said base, a fixed guidebetween the base and-said printing wheel, a work support and a bar fixedat its upper end thereto vertically movable in said guide, spring meansyieldingly urging the work support downwardly to a normal position withrespect to the printing wheel, and manually operable cam means mountedon the basecoacting withthe lower end of said bar to move said supportupwardly and dispose the work thereon in impression-receiving relationto said printing wheel. 2. In a printing or stamping machine, a base, atleast one rotatable printing wheel having peripherally projecting typecharacters mounted on a stationary axis above said base, a verticallymovable work support between said base and the printing wheel, means forfeeding a pigmented tape between the printing wheel and said worksupport, manually operable means for moving the work support upwardly toengage the Work thereon with the tape and move the latter intoimpression-receiving relation to the printing wheel, and actuating meansfor said tape feeding means connected with the work support and operatedthereby in the movement of said support in one direction. 3. In aprinting or stamping machine, a base, a pedestal thereon having ahousing at its upper end, the .lower side of said housing being open,adjustable printing means including type characters mounted on astationary axis within the housing and operable to position selectedtype characters in printing position at the open sidemove the latterupwardly and engage the article thereon under pressure with the selectedtype characters of said printing means.

4. In a printingor stamping machine, a housing, printing means thereincomprising a rotatable wheel provided with peripherally projecting typecharacters, electric'al heating units within the housing .at oppositesides of said printing means, and means for mounting said heating unitsupon the respective side walls of the housing for lateral yieldingmovement relative to eachother, whereby type carrying" wheels of variousthicknesses may be positioned between said heat:- ing units.

5. In a printing or stamping machine, a housing, printing means mountedtherein comprising a plurality of rotatable wheels having peripherallyprojecting type characters, means for independently adjusting saidwheels relative to each other, to dispose selected type charactersthereon in aligned printing position, and electrical'heating unitssupported upon opposite side walls of the housing for lateral yieldingmovement engaging opposite sides of the group of type wheels and actingto axially position said wheels between the housing walls.

6. In a printing or stampingmachine, a housing, printing means thereincomprising a plurality of printing wheels having peripherally projectingtype characters thereon, a single means supporting said wheels forindependent rotative adjustment, .and manually operable forindependently adjusting said printing wheels, and

, adjustable means supported by the housing walls and successivelypenetrating said wheels at points between their centers and the bases ofthe type characters to releasably lock the adjusted wheels againstrelative rotation to retain the selected type characters thereon inaligned printing position. I

7. In a printing or stamping machine, a housing open on one side and atthe bottom thereof, printing means adjustable within said housing toposition selected type characters in projecting relation to the bottomopening of the housing, heating means mounted within the housing andyieldably engaging said printing means, and a cover plate for the openside of the housing detachably secured thereto and carrying a part ofsaid heating means removable as a unit with said plate to afford accessto said printing means.

8. In a printing or stamping machine, a housing, open on one side and atthe bottom thereof, printing means adjustable within said housing toposition selected type characters in projecting relation to the bottomopening of the housing, a cover plate for the open side of said housing,heating means mounted within the housing and yieldably engaging saidprinting means, a thermostatic control device for said heating means,circuit closing means for said heating means, and parts of said heatingmeans, circuit closing means and said thermostatic device being carriedby said cover plate for removal as a unit therewith from the housing,whereby access is afforded to said printing means.

9. In a printing or stamping machine, a plurality of rotatable diskseach carrying type members disposed upon its periphery, means forselectively disposing said types into varying combinations,thermostatically controlled means for heating the type, and a thermostatresiliently pressed against one of the rotatable disks adjacent thetypes thereon whereby the electric current carried by the heating meansis accurately controlled by the temperature of the types.

10. In a printing or stamping machine, a housing, a plurality ofrotatable disks having types arranged around their periphery, an annularheating element disposed on each side of the plurality of disks, athermostatic control means in contact with an outer one of said disks,resilient means supported by said housing and pressing against saidheating means and thermostatic control means, whereby theyare eachpressed against said disks and hold them in slidable contact.

11. In a printing and stamping machine, a housing containing rotatableprinting disks and electrically heated elements to heat said disks, arecess in one cover of the housing, a thermostatic control element tocontrol the current flowing through the heating elements mounted in saidrecess and projecting therefrom, and resilient means mounted in saidrecess to press the\thermostatic control element into contact with oneof said disks.

12. In a printing and stamping machine, a housing, rotatable printingdisks mounted within said housing, and resilient pressure means mountedin said housing to press said disks into contact with each other.

13. A printing or stamping machine, comprising a housing, a shaftrotatably secured through said housing, a controlling element mounted onone end of said shaft outside the'housing, rotatable type carrying disksmounted within the housing upon said shaft, a key secured in the shaft,a key way in an outer one of said disks, a frictional ball clutcharranged in the shaft under each of the remaining disks whereby they maybe rotated to selectively place type in desired order, and means,mounted in the housing, to successively penetrate the disks and holdthem in position.

14. In a printing and stamping machine, a housing having two parallelsides, a shaft passing through said parallel sides, a plurality ofprinting wheels rotatably mounted on said shaft and having a circularseries of openings therethrough, said parallel sides of the housing eachhaving a boss with an opening in each aligned with the said openings inthe printing wheels, a rod, having an operating knob on one end outsidethe housing, slidably secured in one of the bosses and adapted to bepassed through the openings in the wheels and in the other side of thehousing, whereby the wheels may be locked in adjusted position.

15. The structure described in claim 14 in which the rod carries a, stoppin outside the housing, and wherein the operating rod, and 1 theadjacent boss on the outside of the housing is arranged in stepscorresponding in number to the number of printing wheels, and inthickness to the thickness of the individual wheels, the stop pin beingat such a distance from the I inner end of the rod as to enable it topass through the plurality of printing wheels.

16. In a printing or stamping machine, a housing, printing means thereincomprising a plurality of printing wheels having peripherically 1projecting type characters thereon, means supporting said wheels forindependent rotative adjustment, adjustable means mounted in the housingand operating on the said wheels at points inwardly removed from thetype characters to releasably lock the adjusted wheels against rotation.

1'7. In a printing or stamping machine, a housing, printing meanstherein comprising a plurality of printing wheels having peripherically3 projecting type characters thereon, means supporting said wheels forindependent rotative adjustment, unitary operable means forindependently adjusting said printing Wheels, adjustable means mountedin the housing and operating on 3 said Wheels at points inwardly removedfrom the type characters to releasably lock the adjusted wheels againstrotation. V

18. In a printing or stamping 'machine, a work-support, a disc, typesdisposed upon the j periphery of'said disc, means for supporting apigment carrying tape between said work-support and said type, the saidtape being maintained at a fixed distance from said work-support andresiliently maintained spaced apart from i said type when the machine isat rest in its nonprinting position, means for heating said disc andtype to a predetermined temperature, a thermostat to control saidtemperature and means whereby an operative movement between thework-support and the type brings the tape first into contact with thework upon the support and then with the type.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the said rotatable printing discsare provided with type members detachably mounted upon the perimeterthereof in eircumferentially spaced apart relation and wherein indexmembers are interposed between said printing type members having partscooperating with the latter. a

20. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the said rotatable printing discsare provided with radial recesses in their outer edges, annular platessecured to opposite sides of the disc over said recesses and printingtype members having parts removably engaged in said recesses.

21. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the said rotatable printing discsare provided with annular plates permanently fixed to their outer edges,other annular plates detachably secured to the opposite sides of thediscs in opposed relation to the first mentioned plates; said annularplates being adapted to retain between them type members in detachablyassembled relation.

22. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the said rotatable printing discsare provided with annular plates permanently fixed to their outer edges,other annular plates detachably secured to the opposite sides of thediscs in opposed relation to the first mentioned plates, printing typemembers detachably mounted and held between said annular plates andguide type members interposed between said printing type members, saidguide type members being also detachable, and maintained in position bysaid annular discs.

23. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the said rotatable printing discsare of brass, whereby warpage upon heating is substantially eliminated.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said work support is characterizedby having markings thereon indicative of various positions foreffectively centering different articles which are to be selectivelystamped by the machine.

EDWARD ROBERTS, JR.

